FESTIVAL GUESTBOOK

Welcome to the Festival’s Guestbook! Please share your memories of past festivals here or your recent poetry news. We also hope you will join us in the Past Participants Facebook Group to share photos, stories, memories and connect with other past participants, faculty, interns and friends of the festival. We continue to believe that poetry will always bring us together.

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17 entries.
Brook J Sadler Brook J Sadler from Tampa, Florida wrote on May 27, 2022 at 11:07 am
Miles created a wonderful community at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival. He knew that poetry brought people closer, and it was evident in his smiles and remarks that he delighted in the vibrancy and vitality of the Festival--the poems, the people, the lunches, the dancing, the hallway chats. His own creativity and generosity were a gift to us all.
Bonnie Wehle Bonnie Wehle from Tucson wrote on May 24, 2022 at 4:27 pm
To me Miles was the warm welcoming smile at the Festival, the smile that said he genuinely cared about you, about everyone. He gave the Festival it’s special intimacy. And I’ll never forget several years ago, when someone was rude to participants of the spoken word session. Miles jumped from his seat, the papa bear defending his cubs, ferociously protective—a side of him I had not seen. I loved it. I’ll miss him.
Phyllis Wax Phyllis Wax from Milwaukee, WI wrote on May 24, 2022 at 4:26 pm
So sorry to hear this. He was such a warm, gracious man. And he set a wonderful tone for the Festival. He will be missed. My condolences to Mimi and their family.
Don Hogle Don Hogle from New York wrote on May 24, 2022 at 1:55 pm
I’m eternally grateful to Miles for creating the Palm Beach Poetry Festival and giving me the opportunity to learn and grow with so many wonderful poets. It’s an incredible gift that you gave us, Miles. All the best to your family and the staff of the Festival. We hold you in our thoughts and affection always.
Erika Michael Erika Michael from Woodway, WA wrote on May 23, 2022 at 8:37 pm
I will always remember Miles’s smile of warm greeting at each annual get-together of our beloved Palm Beach Poetry Festival, his true connection with every attendee, the magical moments of his appearance at various events, from readings to the Gala. We will be missing Miles so very much!
Deborah DeNicola Deborah DeNicola from Margate wrote on May 23, 2022 at 8:02 pm
So sorry to lose Miles. I first moved to Florida when he was just beginning the festival and I made my dear poet friends here that year. 18 years later, still loving the festival. I remember Miles' generosity and warmth and always up for a dance at the Gala. We will so miss him and his poetry. 🥲
Michele Parker Randall Michele Parker Randall from Sanford wrote on May 23, 2022 at 6:08 pm
What a champion for celebrating Poetry. Thank you, Miles. For everything.
Erika Michael Erika Michael from Woodway, WA wrote on May 23, 2022 at 3:38 pm
I am so sad to hear of Miles's death. I will always remember his smile of warm greeting at each annual get-together of our beloved Palm Beach Poetry Festival, his true connection with every attendee, the magical moments of his appearance at various events, from readings to the Gala. We will be missing him so very much!
Judy Ireland Judy Ireland from West Palm Beach wrote on May 23, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Miles created a community of poets that has endured for many years, a community that will honor him for many years going forward through the poems they write. His vision was extraordinary, and he made his dream a reality for all of us. I feel so grateful to Miles, and will miss his bright presence.
Lisa Shirley Lisa Shirley from Yonkers, NY wrote on May 23, 2022 at 3:21 pm
I met Miles many years ago at Sarah Lawrence. We had several workshops together and I remember his poetry and his critical, but kind, comments on others' work. He will be missed by many.
Eleanor Wilner Eleanor Wilner from Philadelphia wrote on May 23, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Such sorrow to know that Miles is gone. In the warm interview with Laure-Anne, I heard for the first time Miles read some of his own poems, from “The Beginning:” “before I had a self…while I stood mute,” and knowing what it meant to break through your own silence, he said of poetry and the sharing of it: “this is just joy, I don’t know how else to put it.” It was his generosity to make that joy available to others through the Palm Beach Poetry Festival, and a joy absolutely to be there and to be part of a place where people listened to each other, a privilege I share with so many others, along with gratitude to Miles, its founder and presiding spirit. His life has been a blessing to us all.
Jeff Morgan Jeff Morgan wrote on May 23, 2022 at 9:37 am
Oh, too sad. I remember when Miles called me, asking if I’d help him launch a festival. What initiative, what a drive, what a love of poetry, what a legacy he leaves! Miss you, Miles. Much love.
Patrick Cotter Patrick Cotter from cork wrote on May 23, 2022 at 7:19 am
Miles was a gent. He had the grace and talent to make each attending person at the festival feel that their presence was crucial. I have confidence his legacy will thrive with the continuation of the festival. But how poor a place the world of poetry is without more businessmen with his vision and generosity.
HOWARD ROBERTS HOWARD ROBERTS from LAKE WORTH, FLORIDA wrote on May 22, 2022 at 11:25 pm
I met Miles through the late Al Berger and his wife, Susan Williamson, the current director of the PBPF. The year was probably 2012. The festival was looking for a graphic designer to design and execute their printed material, so they set up a meeting with me and Miles so he could take the measure of yours truly. Miles immediately informed me that he abhorred "white space", which to him was like "dead air" on the radio. Having come from a NY design environment that saw white space as the height of design sophistication, I was a bit unsettled by this drastic shift in philosophies. However, I made the adjustment, and I'm most happy I did, since it afforded me the opportunity to work with Miles, Susan, their great staff and legendary poets. I even wrote a poem (if you could call it that) entitled "White Space", that I sent to Miles. He promptly sent me a poetic retort. It was great fun, and it pointed to Miles sense of humor. Fortunately, my poem has been lost to history. Miles was great for serious poetry and poets. He will be missed. Howard Roberts/designer/art director PBPF
Carol Jaffe Carol Jaffe from Delray Beach wrote on May 22, 2022 at 8:51 pm
My husband Alberto and I are saddened to learn of Miles passing. He always made us feel important by greeting us with his warm and enthusiastic smile. I will breathe his inspiration into my poetry. Thankyou Miles for sharing the Poetry Festival. It is important to honor the Arts and the Artists. One way of expressing the Creator within….
Kenneth Bolden Kenneth Bolden from Bethany wrote on May 22, 2022 at 8:00 pm
May His Soul Rest In Peace! 😴
palm palm from Atlanta, GA wrote on May 21, 2022 at 8:39 am
“It’s the best poetry festival I’ve been to and none are better and none as good—the venues, the students, the faculty, the spirit, the leadership, the ethos. “ —Thomas Lux, Atlanta, GA, Faculty